German Occupation FN High Power Pistols

Published on April 28, 2025
Duration: 18:41

This guide details how to identify and understand FN High Power pistols produced during the German occupation of Belgium. It covers key production changes, including sight variations, serialization, grip materials, and the removal of the magazine safety, highlighting collector-relevant details and potential authenticity indicators. The information is presented with the authority of an expert firearms instructor.

Quick Summary

German Occupation FN High Power pistols (Pistole 640(b)) show significant production changes. Early models had tangent sights and stock slots, while later ones featured fixed sights and lacked stock slots. Look for Waffenamt stamps (e.g., WaA140) for German acceptance, but be cautious of combined Belgian/German proofs, which often indicate collector fakes. Quality declined in late-war production.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: WWII German Occupation FN High Powers
  2. 00:41Historical Context: Adoption and Occupation
  3. 02:06Military Distribution and Early Issues
  4. 03:42Production at FN Under German Control
  5. 05:33Early Occupation Production and Proofs
  6. 06:36Serialization and Design Simplification
  7. 08:141942 Production Features and Markings
  8. 09:56Transition to Fixed Sights
  9. 11:33Late War Serialization and Safety Changes
  10. 13:17Final Production, Grips, and Sabotage
  11. 15:40Liberation and Post-War Assembly

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key visual differences between early and late German Occupation FN High Power pistols?

Early German Occupation FN High Powers often feature adjustable tangent rear sights and shoulder stock slots. Later production simplified these, transitioning to fixed rear sights and removing the stock slot to streamline manufacturing. Grip materials also changed from wood to Bakelite.

How can one identify a genuine German Occupation FN High Power pistol?

Genuine examples will display German Waffenamt inspection stamps (like WaA140) and military acceptance proofs. Crucially, new German production started with its own serialization (from 50,000) and should not bear Belgian proofs unless it's a repaired captured gun. Be wary of pistols with both Belgian and German proofs, as these are often collector fakes.

What impact did the German occupation have on FN High Power production quality?

Production quality generally declined during the German occupation due to resource scarcity, increased quotas, and potential worker sabotage. Late-war pistols often exhibit rougher finishes, visible machine marks, and potentially compromised heat treatment, reflecting the challenging wartime conditions.

When was the magazine safety removed from the FN High Power during German occupation?

The magazine safety was removed during the late stages of German occupation production, around May 1943, as part of a broader effort to simplify manufacturing processes by reducing the number of parts and labor required.

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